Pune: I-League Under-20 Champions Pune FC is all set off to play the TFA Shield 2012 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu scheduled from September 14 to 24.

Pune FC begins their campaign against AG’s Office Recreation Club (AGORC), a Senior Division Chennai Football League team at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Monday, 17th September, 2012.   

The Tamil Nadu Football Association-organised meet will be the first senior-level tournament for Pune FC ever since they won the Junior Club Champion title in May this year.

Meanwhile, the Pune FC squad will be led by their Manipur-born central midfielder Abung Thangjam Meetie.

Pune FC Head of Youth Ranjan Chowdhury informed, “This is a big opportunity for the youngsters to up their performance and take on the challenge in senior-level.”

“The squad is eager and wants to extend their winning run. It is with this positive that we go into the tournament,” Chowdhury added.

Sixteen teams will make up the tournament proper, with Pune FC one among the six outstation teams participating in the tournament.

The other teams include, Karnataka XI, RCF Kapurthala, Southern United Bang¬a¬lore, Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) and Kerala Police.     

The winners stand to gain Rs.1,00,000, while the runners up will receive Rs. 75,000.

THE TEAM

Goalkeepers: Sarif Molla, Rajiv Miryala

Defenders: Ranjan Singh, Anuj Negi, Henry Monsang, James Singh, Gobin Singh, Lalrinawma Rinte

Midfielders: Abung Meetie, Riyan Yadgiri, Narendra Vakhare, Janak Kudmal, Denechandra Metei, Syed Shoaib Ahmed, David Lalbiakzara

Strikers: Thongkhosiem Haokip, R Shivram, Deepak Kumar, William Lalnunfela,.

Head of Youth Development: Ranjan Chowdhury

Coach: Gift Raikhan

Physio: Lino Sequeira